July 2023

I had two weeks’ of annual leave in July, and nothing was ever more needed. My brain was addled and foggy, I wasn’t sleeping or eating and I just felt a general sense of anxiety and malaise. Classic burnout signs, so I packed up and escaped home to the Wicklow Mountains. Good thing I wasn’t counting on good weather, as the heavens opened and between the few days at home, and some time in Liverpool, I’m wondering where summer has gone in the UK and Ireland.

I had a typical reading month, with a nice mix. I’m feeling my mojo is back a little, which is a gorgeous feeling. I’m also trying to buy fewer books and prioritise the ones I already own. Difficult but necessary work.

Royal Wedding: The Princess Diaries #11 by Meg CabotThree stars

Finishing strong on the last installment of the Princess Diaries series. I enjoyed this one and always nice to see a character you’ve grown up with have a happy ending.

Kala by Colin WalshFour and a half stars

I was lucky enough to interview Colin Walsh at the Merseyside launch of Kala, and I devoured it in two sittings. It’s a familiar, haunting and gripping story about a group of teenage friends who accidentally reunite as adults in their small town in the west of Ireland. You’ll feel the characters jumping off of the pages, and be immersed immediately.

Penance by Eliza ClarkThree and half stars

I really enjoyed Eliza Clark’s first book Boy Parts and enjoyed her second. It felt a little long in parts, and I didn’t love the format, but if you’re interested in the ethics of true crime and its place in our society, you’ll find this one really interesting. Also a must-read for anyone who was on Tumblr back in the day.

Sex and the City by Candace BushnellTwo and a half stars

To my shame, I am really enjoying the latest season of …And Just Like That, so when I saw this in the library, I decided to re-read it. It’s a real relic of its time, so it’s interesting, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it.

Detransition Baby by Torrey PetersThree stars

This one came highly recommended, and it didn’t completely click with me. I really liked Torrey Peters’ writing, but the story, that of atypical family structures, left me a little cold. I’d be really keen to read her next novel.

Dear Dolly: On Love, Life and Friendship by Dolly AldertonThree stars

I have a real soft spot for Dolly Alderton, as I suspect most millennial women do, especially after her love letter to female friendship in Everything I Know About Love. Her advice is human, non-judgmental and succinct.

Francesca’s Party by Patricia ScanlanThree stars

I read this as a teenager, so this was a purely nostalgic read. I love Irish “chick lit” and Patricia Scanlan is always fun escapism. I’d love a chic cottage in Monkstown of my own!

Homesick by Jennifer CroftThree and a half stars

This is the August pick for my book club. The topics were searching and human, but I found the vignette style a little detaching, which is interesting and it’s a device I like in other books. I’m excited to discuss it!